Dr. Caitlin Andrews-Lee

Dr. Caitlin Andrews-Lee joins the Department of Politics and Public Administration at Ryerson from Tulane University, where she was a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Inter-American Policy and Research. Previously, she received her PhD in Government from the University of Texas at Austin, where she specialized in Comparative Politics and Research Methods.

Dr. Andrews-Lee's research and teaching focus on Latin American and comparative politics. She is especially interested in how leaders cultivate charismatic attachments with voters to garner support, consolidate power, and undermine democratic accountability. Her forthcoming book, The Emergence and Revival of Charismatic Movements: Argentine Peronism and Venezuelan Chavismo, investigates the nature and trajectory of political movements founded by charismatic leaders. Rather than fading away or transforming into institutionalized parties, as the conventional wisdom would suggest, she demonstrates that charismatic movements can survive in their original, personalistic state. Consequently, the movements can undermine liberal democracy for years or even decades after their original leaders disappear.

Dr. Andrews-Lee’s research has been published in Political Research Quarterly (forthcoming), Comparative Politics (2020), Comparative Political Studies (2019), and Journal of Politics in Latin America (2020). She is excited to develop her next project at Ryerson, which investigates how women can rise and exercise authority as charismatic leaders.

“I find Ryerson’s intellectual diversity, innovative spirit, and warm sense of community truly inspiring. I am excited to collaborate with the passionate and talented group of faculty and students in the Department of Politics and Public Administration and contribute to the university’s ongoing advancement.”